National Meadows Day Safari
Nick Marriot, West Cornwall Reserve Manager for Cornwall Wildlife Trust, talks about the meadows at Windmill Farm, near Kynance.
On Saturday 1 July, a good crowd of more than 70 people were entranced by stunning meadows in three locations on and around the Lizard: Goongillings Farm near Constantine, Kestle Barton near Helford and Windmill Farm near Lizard Village. All three meadows were yet to have their only cut of the year, so flowers were still there to enjoy, and birds and insects joined us all the way.
For all three meadows, we were guided by Ian Bennallick, County Plant Recorder. Ian has an encyclopedic knowledge of our local plants, their identity, scarcity and natural history.
Pilgrims follow the trail through wildflower meadows at Goongillings Farm
At Goongillings Farm, Charlie Pugh told us how the meadows furthest from the farm have the richest diversity of plants, because in the past animal manure and slurry would have been spread over the nearest for convenience. Fertilisers favour the stronger grasses which out-compete most other plants.
Charlie Pugh, farmer at Goongillings, with Ian Bennallick, County Plant Recorder.
Yellow Rattle and Yellow Bartsia keep grass under control, making space for other species which are usually suppressed by grass. Marsh orchids have appeared this year for the first time. European Field Crickets – native to the UK but virtually extinct – have been re-introduced at Goongillings and are doing well. The view over the Helford River valley was inspiring, seeing how Charlie and other landowners are managing their land to promote Nature Recovery, providing fabulous wildlife havens linked by nature corridors.
The magical circular meadow at Kestle Barton, with cornflowers and corn marigold
Kestle Barton meadows are a riot of colour, making me dream of my childhood 60 years ago. We learnt how earlier in the year the fields are full of Cowslips, but at this time of year we can enjoy Corncockle, Corn Marigold, Cornflower and much more. We saw butterflies enjoying them too, the Large White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood, as well as bumblebees – the Red Tailed, Carder and Buff Tailed.
The meadows at Windmill Farm are an oasis for insects – how glorious to stir the grass with my foot to cause grasshoppers and other insects to jump and re-settle. It was a delight to see swallows flying over the fields. Ian pointed out Marsh Ragwort, Woundwort, Heath Wood Rush, Bristle Club Rush, Toad Rush, Pale Flax, Red Clover, Curled Dock, Marsh Thistle and Marsh Birdsfoot Trefoil.
Nick Marriott, West Cornwall nature reserve manager for Natural England, described how the fields are grazed by a herd of South Devon cattle, between August and December. The Birdsfoot Trefoil and Ribwort Plantain are natural wormers, so the farmer does not need to give wormers to the cattle. The 25+ followers cattle are free to range over 85 hectares. We saw the spectacular yellow and black caterpillars of the Cinnebar moth which feed on Common Ragwort and Marsh Ragwort.
Five spot burnet moth on Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil at Windmill Farm
Recently at Windmill Farm, more ponds of different depths have been created, helping to support wildlife.
We noticed the boundaries of all three sites are perfect for wildlife habitat – hedges have been allowed to grow wide and tall providing homes and larders for many species of birds, as well as reptiles like adders, slow worms and common lizards.
For those of us lucky enough to visit these special places, this was a day of inspiration and hope. Thanks to all those who invited us to their land, and to the care they have put in to look after it for Nature – and thereby for us all.
This was a day to reflect on the words of Robin Wall Kimmerer – "To love a place is not enough. We must find ways to heal it."
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Words by Maggie Freegard
